Prevention of Disease

Unani Medicine recognizes the influence of surroundings and ecological conditions on the state of health of human beings. The most basic principle in promotion of health and prevention of disease is temperament (Mizäj).

The Classics of the Unani System of Medicine clearly lay down that maintenance of Health (Ùifzän-i Ñiùùat) is superior to treatment. In disease, treatment is done by using the non-drug (diet) and drug factors of opposite temperament, while for maintenance of health, mostly non-drug factors of the same temperament are used.

For maintenance of health, Unani Medicine specially places emphasis on the Six Essential Factors (Asbäb Sitta Òarüriyya), i.e., Air (Hawä’), Food and Drink (Ma’kül-o-Mashrüb), Bodily Movement and Repose (Ùarakat-o-Sukün Badané), Psychic Movement and Repose (Ùarakat-o-Sukün Nafsäné), Sleep and Wakefulness (Nawm-o-Yaqza) and Evacuation and Retention (Istifrägh-oIùtibäs). The lifestyle disorders like Depression, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, Obesity etc., which are the major health burden of present times, can be successfully, economically and safely prevented by following the instructions with regard to these essential factors. In fact, Unani System of Medicine describes all the Factors affecting health and disease, of whom those affecting all human beings perpetually are called Essential (Òarüriyya), while, the rest are called Non-Essential (Ghayr Òarüriyya).

Air (Hawä’) Air is the most crucial factor for life. It helps in the production and maintenance of pneuma, which is the source of vitality. Air is the medium of most of the external factors affecting life and health. Unani System of Medicine uses air in prevention and treatment chiefly by taking into account the seasonal variations in Air. For instance, in summer, air becomes hotter, so cold food and moderate movement and exercise should be adopted to remain healthy.

Food and Drink (Ma’kül-o-Mashrüb) Food is second only to air in maintaining life and health by replacing the body’s used-up and brokendown components (Badal mä Yataùallal). Unani System of Medicine makes extensive use of diet both for promotion of health and treatment of disease. It has been very successful in identifying appropriate food by using the principle of temperament. Similarly, drinks especially water is crucial since food becomes effective in solution. Therefore, Unani System of Medicine provides extensive guidelines for the type of water and the appropriate time for drinking it.

Bodily Movement and Repose (Ùarakat-o-Sukün Badané) Unani System of Medicine gives great importance to both appropriate movement and rest for maintaining health and curing disease. Movement is necessary for evacuating waste products, and rest is needed for retaining nutrients till the completion of digestion.

Psychic Movement and Repose (Ùarakat-o-Sukün Nafsäné) Unani System of Medicine recognizes the role of psychic states in maintaining health and preventing disease and describes mental states in terms of the movement and repose of pneuma. Unani Medicine considers the heart as a seat of pneuma (Rüù) and the soul (Nafs), while brain as the seat of psychic faculties (Quwä Nafsäniyya). So, mental states described by Unani Medicine in terms of psychic movement and repose specially affect heart and brain function.

Sleep and Wakefulness (Nawm-o-Yaqza) Sleep is necessary for preserving pneuma and vitality and providing replacement of wear and tear, while wakefulness is necessary for voluntary functions. Therefore, moderation should be exercised with regard to sleep and wakefulness.

Evacuation and Retention (Istifrägh-o-Iùtibäs) Evacuation is needed for removal of waste products which may cause obstructions or embolism and toxicity. Evacuation takes place by defecation, micturition, sweating, etc. Retention of nutrients is needed for health and prevention of the diseases.